Block question for JohnZ

[Flowjoe]

I seem to recall you addressing the little drilled and tapped hole (an plug) just above the timing cover on some small blocks (passenger side).  I have searched but cannot fid the post.  IIRC it had to do with the implementation of a "best practice" at one foundry (or engine plant) and not at another.  Would you mind addressing that again?  Thanks

[JohnZ]

That's the 1/8" NPT hole with the square-head plug at 11:00, just above the timing cover, on all Flint V-8's; the machining process was different for the front oil gallery intersection between Flint and Tonawanda, so Tonawanda blocks didn't have the hole or the plug. That's a key issue on Corvettes, as all Corvette small-blocks came only from Flint V-8 (as did all Z/28 302's). Photo below.

[Flowjoe]

Thank a bunch John - again!